16. ABSOLUTISM, CONSTITUTIONALISM, AND THE SEARCH FOR ORDER, 1640

Quiz for Document 16.2: John Milton, Defense of Freedom of the Press (1644)

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Document 16.2: John Milton, Defense of Freedom of the Press (1644)

Question 16.3

1. Why is the distinction between license (meaning looseness or immorality) and licensing (meaning censorship or requiring official approval to publish) important to Milton?

He believes that freedom of the press will never result in immoral publications.

He believes that licensing is essential to good order.

He believes that the clash of opinions is the best way to get at the truth and overcome vice.

He believes that officials should not worry about vice.

Question 16.4

2. When Milton says that “a good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life,” what does he mean?

Suppressing books is like murdering the spirit of reason.

Ideas have no life beyond the moment of a book’s publication.

Censorship is necessary to protect the lifeblood of a nation.

Books are dead things so their threat to society should not be exaggerated.